Bengaluru, Jun 5: An FIR has been filed against former journalist and human rights activist Aakar Anil Patel in Bengaluru here over his comments on social media under charges pertaining to provocation with intent to cause riots.
The FIR was registered under Section 117 (abetting commission of an offence by the public or by more than ten persons), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), and 505-1-B (intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the JC Nagar police station.
According to the FIR filed on June 2, Patel had tweeted that protests like the ones in the US over George Floyd's death are needed in India by the marginalised communities.
Patel, former chief of Amnesty International India, had on May 31 posted from his Twitter account, which is not verified.
On May 25, Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following which protests against police brutality and racism erupted in various cities in the United States. The protests were later replaced by incidents of violence across the country.
India also has witnessed several cases of mob lynchings and custodial deaths in recent years. In most cases victims belong to down trodden communities such as Muslims and Dalits.
Responding to the development, Amnesty International India has said that FIR against Patel is another example of how the right to dissent is being "increasingly" criminalised.
"The Bengaluru police must stop abusing its authority and put an end to the intimidation and harassment of Aakar Patel for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression. People of this country have the right to agree or disagree with those in power, and to express these opinions in peaceful protests - without fear or unlawful interference," Amnesty International India Executive Director Avinash Kumar said.
He said that peacefully protesting against the government is not a crime and added that not agreeing with the policies of those in power does not make you a traitor.
Comments
Dear media
why you doesn't mention hindu terrorists because he is not a Muslim name r8
BJP is lost in its arrogance
What you cultivate that you harvest. BJP may lose all assembly elections in future including LS. Let them be an arrogant tusker for few more days
Where is NIA?
Naren, when are u coming back to India, to place the meat bag in the Nagabana and to start a riot..... we are missing Mutalik, so you should fill his vacancy.....
Viren ...if it's a bajrangi victim....if minority then terrorist.....please clean your brain with water....not go moorhra....you may change your mindset
Haha there is no shortage for babu bajrangrees in India who are ultra nationalists ....today we might have tears ...but table will turn towards Islamic millitants for sure ...
This is what happens, they do but minorities are labelled as traitors
NAREN LOST HIS TWO BROTHERS....! STILL WE FEEL PITY...
Natasha....well said... God bless you .... May Almighty show us the way of humanity....... In your list of allegations, just add one more point.....Place the meat bag in Naga Bana and blame the Minorities.....this is what happened in Bhatkal recently....
VIREN..........Yes He is victim of Terrorism because he is scape goat in RSS terror Game ....same like Praveen /Prashanth poojary
@Viren, exactly you are right.. and also the cow killed Prashanth Poojary.. simply media blaming Banjrang Daakus and VH Saddists as murderers. Dont be blind in religion that you cannot make what is right from wrong
Wa Makaru wa Makara Allah wa’Allahu Khairul Makereen’ (Quran: Surah Aali Imran 3:54) 'They planned and Allah planned and Allah is the best of planners’.
our country is marching towards VINASH because of these Hindutva Aatankies (BJP, RSS, VHP, Shiv Sena, Ram Sena, Gay Rakshak etc.) They are treating all non Hindus as their slaves (Dalits, Chiristens & Muslims) & the governing BJP & MP Mr. Mozi are giving them full support. Gujarat under Mr.Mozi in past was same against Muslim.They are playing dirty politics.
Suno na Cheddi marmar...
ki yeh dhamake
Kuch bhi nahi hai...
aage tumhaare
Aaj se chappal pe mere...
raaj tumhaara....
Cheddi tumhara
What a great news. After Udupi incident, this news will surely cause at least a mild heart attack for the party of thugs.
Thank you God for averting a terror attack and punishing terrorist
Ethics of journalism is murdered here. Deekshit is a victim. not terrorist. Kannur is a place where PFI had organised terror camp years ago. Central government must intervene and expose the reality.
You traffic cows
You make bombs
You hoist Pak flag in India
You raise anti national slogans
You kill innocents
Then why the f*** you put the blame on Muslims???
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